Man pleads guilty in 2008 restaurant killing

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — One of two brothers accused of killing two workers at a St. Louis-area Steak 'n Shake restaurant in 2008 has pleaded guilty in the case.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 23-year-old Anthony Akins pleaded guilty to two reduced counts of second-degree murder on Monday. His brother, Oundr'e, is scheduled to go to trial next year.

Prosecutors agreed to the deal with Anthony Akins in return for his cooperation in the case that could result in the death penalty for his brother. Anthony Akins was previously charged with first-degree murder.

Waitress Tammy Cantrell and cook Mark Gerstner were shot to death in the early hours of Nov. 10, 2008. Investigators say the brothers had previously worked at the restaurant. Both men are from Cahokia, Ill.